Hockey star Johnny (31) and his brother Matthew (29) Gaudreau killed by drunk driver

[puzzld]

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/...er-matthew-die

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed Thursday when they were struck by a vehicle while riding bicycles, New Jersey State Police said in a release Friday.

Johnny Gaudreau was 31; Matthew was 29.

According to police, a driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee hit two "pedalcyclists," identified as the Gaudreaus, from behind while trying to pass an SUV on the right that had moved over to make way for the two cyclists. Police, who responded to the scene in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, at 8:19 p.m., said both Gaudreaus suffered fatal injuries.

The driver, Sean Higgins, 43, is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and has been charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Higgins told police that he had five or six beers before the crash and had tried to go around the SUV on the right side after thinking the other vehicle was trying to block him from passing. He told police his drinking contributed to "his impatience and reckless driving." Higgins failed a field sobriety test, according to the affidavit.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.

Both brothers, who were New Jersey natives, had been in the area to be groomsmen in their sister Katie's wedding that was scheduled for Friday in Philadelphia.

https://pagesix.com/2024/08/30/celeb...l-stars-death/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7T4jPIXJYQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVZ7DDH0Cv8

[KimTisha]

I have no words. Horrific, tragic event made worse by the wedding; I can't imagine the family's grief, it must be profound. The driver has admitted everything, let's see how he pleads at his arraignment.

Rest in peace, Gaudreau brothers....

[Nic B]

So sad!

[Boston Babe 73]

I saw this story and you beat me to it. His Sister cancelled the wedding (rightly so) and one of them has a wife that is pregnant. Nothing pisses me off more than impatient drivers who don't give a fuck about anyone else but themselves. Except Drunk, impatient drivers. What a selfish POS. That poor family has been ruined for life.

ETA: Article about Matthew's wife being pregnant. She's due in December

https://people.com/matthew-gaudreau-...-death-8704767

[KimTisha]

https://newjersey.news12.com/man-cha...ext-court-date

The driver charged with killing NHL hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew as they bicycled on a rural road had a blood-alcohol level of .087, above the .08 legal limit in New Jersey, a prosecutor said Friday.

The driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins of nearby Woodstown, New Jersey, is charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. At a virtual court hearing Friday, a judge ordered that he be held for trial after prosecutors described a history of alleged road rage and aggressive driving.

“‘You were probably driving like a nut like I always tell you you do. And you don’t listen to me, instead you just yell at me,’” his wife told Higgins when he called her from jail after his arrest, according to First Assistant Prosecutor Jonathan Flynn of Salem County.

The defense described Higgins as a married father and law-abiding citizen before the 8:19 p.m. crash.

“He’s an empathetic individual and he’s a loving father of two daughters,” said defense lawyer Matthew Portella. “He’s a good person and he made a horrible decision that night.”

Higgins told police he had five or six beers that day and admitted to consuming alcohol while driving, according to the criminal complaint. He also failed a field sobriety test, the complaint said. A prosecutor on Friday said he had been drinking at home after finishing a work call at about 3 p.m., and having an upsetting conversation with his mother about a family matter.

On another forum I belong to there is a heated debate about the number of beers he had. He said 5 or 6, posters are saying if he admitted to 5-6 it was probably double that - but I think his .087 BAC supports 5-6 beers. I expected it to be higher than that. Also, his wife probably isn't helping matters, but I wouldn't be able to hold back. He seriously fucked up - his life, his family's life, the Gaudreau's life as they knew it is over, all because he got behind the wheel of a car drunk and angry. Not worth it.

The driver's FB, his kids are adorable: https://www.facebook.com/sean.higgins.374

[Boston Babe 73]

I mean, what his wife said supports what I've seen online about his aggressive driving. What I had heard was that he was behind two other vehicles that had slowed down and started moving to the left to pass the bicycles. Higgins got angry because he thought they were messing with him and trying to prevent him from passing them. So he barreled around them to pass on the right and rammed right in to the bikes. Being drunk was just another cherry on top of a shit sundae.

When traffic slows down or stops in front of you, IT'S USUALLY FOR A REASON. I cannot STAND impatient drivers. If you're late getting somewhere, that's your own fucking fault. Leave earlier!

[jennafyre]

In Canada, there is a difference between Impaired Driving and Driving with BAC over 0.08. You can be charged with one and not the other, or both. I don't think he was that drunk, it's a pretty low BAC for 5-6 beers, which tells me he drinks often. I think he has anger problems and is just an impatient asshole. His poor wife and family because I think he is the main income earner, but I bet she is at least a little relieved she gets a physical break from him being an assholio.